When Should Lighting Enter an Interior Design Plan?

Randall Whitehead, IALD, pinpoints the best stage in the process to consider lighting design.

Question:

When do you consider lighting design during the interior design process? Should it come at the beginning, middle or end?

I like to come in once a furniture layout is completed and the list of finishes has been selected. It is impossible to do a quality lighting design in an empty room. I have to see how the furniture is laid out, what colors and finishes are being used, and know the needs of the clients. I guess you would call that late beginning or early middle.